This data-driven, replicable project uses traditional and non-traditional programs, services and infrastructure that have been co-created with participants and community. It produces equitable and enduring upward economic mobility, health, and social connectivity – well-being, belonging, resilience.
We are in poverty and a homelessness crisis. It disproportionately impacts Brown, Indigenous, People of Color, (BIPOC) and single moms. In southern Arizona, 21% Hispanic, 32% Black, 19% Native American, 42% Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and 34% single moms are living in poverty. (1) In 2023, HUD declared our Continuum of Care (CoC) in crisis with 300% increase in homelessness since 2018. (2) Further, 40% of 400 unhoused individuals reveal they do not have one supportive person. (3)
Historical and current barriers coupled with market factors (affordable housing shortage) have led to the crisis. Race-based homeownership exclusion, racist covenants (4), zoning (5), and two rounds of urban renewal (6), have worked together to displace communities, and create marginalized areas that persist today.
To date, others have determined funded priorities, and historical changes have been based on efficiency, not outcomes. Service models, not solutions-based models, have been used without input.
Further, while HUD housing priorities have changed, transitional housing still yields the best outcomes. The data affirms this, yet the funding is not there. Of statewide CoC funds, only $432,000 is for transitional housing. $48million goes to permanent housing. (7) Despite this priority, our CoC recently reported 1 in 3 people return to homelessness from permanent housing.
By contrast, we use a solutions-based model where programs, services and infrastructure are co-created with individuals, families, and communities. They are in the best position to determine what will work given historical and current context. The combination of prevention, mobile outreach (reaching BIPOC communities), transitional housing (longer, targeted interventions), traditional services (finances, health) combined with non-traditional services (social connection), has proven successful. We would scale through geographic, historic, and demographic context. With our diverse demographics, colonial history, and a model based on participation and data, we believe it is scalable and replicable.
For 41 years, Primavera has worked in homeless prevention, emergency shelters, supportive services, housing, and jobs.
Recently, we have modified our approach due to increased homelessness and poverty. While the national poverty rate is 11.7%, Southern Arizona is higher – 21% Hispanic, 32% Black, 19% Native American, 42% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and 34% single moms with children all living in poverty.
In 2023, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) declared our Continuum of Care (CoC) in a homeless crisis with 300% increase since 2018.
Alarmingly, 40% of 400 unhoused individuals reveal that they do not have one supportive person.
With urgency, we have moved towards solutions, not service.
We respond to the data.
We facilitate collaboration between participants and community to co-create solutions through advisory councils, and community convenings.
We fill gaps in unfunded but proven equitable strategies – homeless prevention, transitional housing (longer interventions), mobile outreach (access for marginalized communities), and adding non-traditional offerings (gardens, community centers, art) – well-being, belonging, resilience.
We no longer solely measure economic impact. We measure economic mobility and social connection – well-being, belonging, resilience.
We account for historic homeownership exclusion by race and ethnicity, systemic barriers, and individual barriers through an expanded equitable lens.
Over five years, we will decrease homelessness by 30%-50% in Pima County. Add 60 transitional housing units, housing 120 individuals and families/year (600 total) with 100% positive exits – increased income and permanent housing. Maintain sustainable outcomes by increasing happiness and social connections. Following five years, we will have a scalable and replicable pathway towards the elimination of homelessness and deep poverty in Pima County and beyond.
All Primavera buildings are located in Tucson and South Tucson. Primavera also has a physical location in Cochise County. We conduct work in the following counties: Pima, Graham, Cochise, Santa Cruz, and Greenlee.
Census tracts are listed as numbers within each tract. All numbers begin with 0401900. Only EPA CEJST Disadvantaged Tracts are listed.
It is the combination of addressing gaps in homeless prevention, mobile outreach, traditional supportive services and housing priorities, along with co-creating non-traditional supportive services that leads to lasting positive outcomes.
We use an equity lens to guide us all. One that accounts for access, abundance, decolonial, intersectionality, dignity, and harm reduction.
During the COVID pandemic, rent and utility assistance kept individuals and families from being evicted. These funds are nearly completed gone. We understand the importance of these fund and continue to collect donation. Simultaneously, we are working on long-term solutions to reduce housing costs including energy efficiency through solar panel and water harvesting installations.
Mobile outreach began this year in a response to meeting people where they are. Who we serve out on the streets and in encampments is different than who accesses us at our several locations. We are reaching BIPOC communities in significant numbers through our outreach efforts. We are creating access and awareness where none previously existed. Mobile outreach has also been successful at getting people housed who were waiting on the streets for their opportunity to be housed.
Transitional housing was removed from HUD funding prioritization in 2015. It was at the height of effectiveness at 84% positive exits when it was de-prioritized. It was a proven, equitable strategy. For this reason, we have continued to use transitional housing and believe transitional housing is needed to serve the most marginalized communities as it allows for longer, targeted interventions. The average length of stay is 171 days. With our units, we have had 100% positive exits and 100% increased income this past fiscal year.
Primavera has used innovative approaches to create home and community for many years with our community gardens, and art and poetry classes at the shelters. With a significant increase in poverty and homelessness, we are now deliberately and intentionally co-creating programs, services and developing social infrastructure that creates community and support for enduring solutions. Forty percent of 400 unhoused individuals report that they do not have one supportive person in their life. Non-traditional supportive services will assist in obtaining and maintaining a sense of community and belonging for individual and community-wide success.
Participation and collaboration are foundational for positive and enduring solutions.
We currently co-create programs and services, and develop infrastructure through a lived experience advisory council, a resident advisory council, participant and resident surveys, and representation on our board of directors. Community is involved through convenings, surveys, and representation on our board of directors.
Over five years, the goal is to reduce homelessness in Pima County by 30-50% and eliminate homelessness within ten years.
This will be achieved through monitoring and evaluating programs, services and infrastructure through surveys, metrics and dashboards. An external evaluation will be conducted after five years.
With this scalable and replicable model, together, we can eliminate homelessness and significantly reduce deep poverty in Pima County and beyond.
